Subaru Diamond Gray Metallic (65Z) Touch Up Paint

The Look

If you drive a Legacy, Outback, or the distinctively styled Tribeca from the late 2000s, you know this color well. It was the sophisticated choice for an era when Subaru moved toward a more premium, executive aesthetic. This isn't a simple, flat gray; it has a deep, charcoal-like presence that hides road grime remarkably well. However, because your car has likely spent over a decade facing the sun and road salt, the original finish might have shifted slightly. This means your repair requires a bit of patience to blend with the aged panels.

Technical Details

This finish is a true metallic, packed with fine aluminum flakes that give the paint its depth. These flakes are heavy and tend to sink to the bottom of the container. If you apply the paint without proper mixing, the repair will look darker and flatter than the rest of the car. You also need to be careful with the thickness of your layers. If the paint goes on too wet, the metal flakes will swim around and cluster together, creating dark spots or "mottling" that ruins the uniform look of the panel.

Best Practices

You can find your color ID on a metal plate located on the passenger side strut tower under the hood or along the passenger side door pillar. Before you spray or dab Subaru Diamond Gray Metallic (check for code 65Z), you need to shake it for at least 60 seconds to wake up those settled metallic flakes. Work in a cool Garage or in the Shade to ensure the paint doesn't dry too fast and trap the flakes in the wrong position. Test the color on the included card before touching the car to ensure the shade matches your current paint fade. When applying, keep the container moving to ensure the flakes distribute evenly across the surface. Allow for plenty of drying time between thin coats rather than trying to cover the damage in one heavy pass.